This book reconstructs Spinoza's theory of the human mind against the backdrop of the twofold notion that subjective experience is explainable and that its successful explanation is of ethical relevance, because it makes us wiser, freer, and happier. Doing so, the book defends a realist rationalist interpretation of Spinoza's approach which does not entail commitment to an ontological reduction of subjective experience to mere intelligibility. In contrast to a long-standing tradition of Hegelian reading of Spinoza's Ethics, it thus defends the notion that the experience of finite subjects is fully real.

About the Author
Ursula Renz is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Klagenfurt, Austria

Reviews
Renz offers many informative, everyday examples to illustrate key points and also includes extensive historical and contemporary cross-references ... This novel argument has bearing not only for studies in the history of philosophy, but also for contemporary philosophical discussions of mind. The notes and bibliography are excellent ... Highly recommended. * H. Storl, CHOICE *



Book Information
ISBN 9780199350162
Author Ursula Renz
Format Hardback
Page Count 328
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 576g
Dimensions(mm) 155mm * 236mm * 33mm